September 02, 2010

Gmail addition lets users make phone calls from their computer

By Amber Wade (Web Exclusive) Just when you thought computers couldn’t get any more convenient, Gmail releases a new voice and video chat that makes cell phones obsolete (well, almost). The newest addition to the Google empire allows you to make free online calls to anyone with a phone located in North America. Have someone you want to contact outside the U.S. and Canada? Don’t worry. That is possible too, but it will require a small fee.

Movie Review: The American

By Kurt Woock (Web Exclusive) Before heading in to watch an espionage-thriller, audiences often expect one of two things: layers of tangled stories or nonstop, Bond-flavored action. Unfortunately, in The American, audiences don’t get either.

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly: Sept 2

By Vox Staff

Past letters from Mark Twain and other Missourians

By Katie Currid Behind dusty bookshelves, underneath yellowed posters and between tattered pages lie American lives. People have poured out their hearts, souls and deepest, darkest thoughts on postcards, diaries and letters. And they are all available to read at the Western Historical Manuscript Collection on the MU campus.

Make your own TV show with Columbia Access Television

By Krystin Arneson Thanks to the Kardashian sisters and other reality TV stars, it seems like anyone can get on the tube these days. But it’s not just Hollywood: Local citizens are also producing their own shows for Columbia Access Television, the city’s public access station. Some use it as a creative outlet, some as a way to fulfill a lifelong goal and others as a good reason to quit their day jobs. Vox offers some tips on how to get things rolling from Columbia Access Television execs and public access veterans — just in case inspiration strikes.

5 Things: To help cure pent-up aggression

By Vox Staff

The Bone Man Rattles TV

By Krystin Arneson It’s hard to find a genre in TV that hasn’t been tapped yet, but local producer Tim Burgess might be creating his own. Think late-night talk show meets E.T., with a splash of comedy sketches.

When I write “P.S.,” I mean it

By Kelsey Whipple I spend approximately $30 a month on stamps. Trips to the post office are biweekly, and the majority of my closet shelves and dresser drawers house saved correspondence. I own more than one wax stamp, and a friend added a personalized ink stamp to my collection for my birthday. I wouldn’t call snail mail my hobby as much as a third job — a trivial one that is occasionally sabotaged by the U.S. Postal Service, but a serious task nonetheless. I like to think that my pen pals depend on me (rather than are just annoyed by me). When I write “P.S.,” I mean it.

David Wax Museum plays sweet beats

By Krystin Arneson The typical setup for a band is simple: two guitars, a bass, drums and one or more people who can sing. Although many bands have electric guitars, Columbia native David Wax has a jarana, a type of guitar native to Veracruz, Mexico. While some bands have a drum set, Suz Slezak plays a quijada, a percussion instrument made from a donkey jawbone. And instead of a backup orchestra, a rotating supplementary group of musicians plays an upright bass and the requinto, a high-pitched guitar, among other unusual instruments.

On the job: Rink floor guard

By Emily Lynn, video by Amand Bromwich He skates competitively, guards vigilantly and coaches enthusiastically. Mark Reagan is a floor guard at Empire Roller Rink, and his job is more than a bouncer on wheels. He might have to supervise some rowdy tweens, but mainly he helps to run the whole rink.

Vox Asks Columbians: If you owned a yacht, what would you name it?

By Hilary Lau

Bunraku Bay: Only American troupe that performs Japanese puppetry

By Felicia Kelley, slideshow by Hye Soo Nah Watching Martin Holman describe a scene from one of his performances is like watching a kid retell a favorite part of a movie. Giddy with excitement and bubbling with emotion, Holman has a flicker in his hazel eyes that complements the crow’s feet around his temples and the wrinkles near his grin. Thirty-three years ago, Holman saw his first Japanese puppet show, and the fire is still in his eyes.

A beginner's guide to roller derby

By Robyn Seale One of CoMo’s Derby Dames runs down the ins and outs of roller derby and shows what happens when push comes to shove.

September 01, 2010

Deja Vu’s ‘Last Comic Standing’ winner returns to Columbia

By Ilene Davis (Web Exclusive)

Top stories on VoxMagazine.com from Aug. 19-25

By Kristin Kellogg (Web Exclusive) Many of our top stories from last week were part of our feature package "Columbia residents share their takes on the town." Local blogger Kate Canterbury's article picked up the most page views.



Love coups? Groupon gives you daily deals

By Mattie Schuler (Web Exclusive) You know those annoying online ads claiming 50 percent of this or that? Well, Groupon.com is actually legit. Groupon gives you a deal-of-the-day coupon, every day, that is specific to your nearest big city. Although Columbia isn’t large enough to be worthy of specific coupons, St. Louis and Kansas City are.

Gallery showcases MU Art Faculty's talent

By Kathryn Clark (Web Exclusive) After spending hours teaching students how to create masterpieces, MU’s very own art faculty will have a chance to showcase their own work. The George Caleb Bingham Gallery is displaying the faculty’s exhibition from Aug. 30 to Sept. 16. The gallery features categories like photography, printmaking, painting, drawing, video, sculpture, fibers, ceramics and design.

What to do when roommates cause problems

By Hilary Lau Roommates can be peaceful, easygoing and laid-back ­— or they can be complete nightmares. Experiences range from mildly weird to severely disturbing and everything in between. Whether it’s messiness, personality conflicts or personal space issues, a lot can go wrong with a roommate.

Rocking Columbia restaurants

By Katie Currid (Web Exclusive) The locations vary: a quiet bar with candlelight and cushioned chairs, a view of a lazy river from a weather-worn deck and a rustling restaurant with loud patrons. At Vault, Cooper’s Landing and Murry’s, there are regular house bands ready to set the mood for a dining experience.

August 30, 2010

Local rapper Marc Goone causes stir with music video for "Every Girl (At Mizzou)"

By Whitney Fenzel (Web Exclusive) Local rapper Marc Goone released his new music video “Every Girl (At Mizzou)” on YouTube on Aug. 21 and caused quite a stir. The song, a localized spin-off of rapper Lil Wayne’s popular song “Every Girl,” was created during Goone’s recent spree of taking well-known songs from the radio and transforming them into new versions.